Analysing cognitive reasoning of individuals type 1 Diabetes Mellitus to resolve hypoglycaemia

Aims: The aim of the research is to understand the impact of individual cognitive behavioural aspects on the behaviour of individuals with Type 1 diabetes in resolving hypoglycaemia. Methods: We conducted a quantitative survey based on cognitive psychological theory among 130 individuals with Type 1 diabetes to gain insights in their cognitive processing of how to resolve hypoglycaemia. The data was analysed with a structural equation model. Results: The results show that chosen cognitive attitudes towards diabetes have an impact on how hypoglycaemia is resolved and that usage requirements are a partial mediator. Conclusions: It is thus important to consider cognitive psychological models when analysing behaviour of individuals with diabetes. Insights in this regard can help doctors to understand how to develop treatment plans and give recommendations for glucose intakes that are actually followed. Moreover, technical solutions can be developed that support treatment plans so that they match the requirements of individuals with Type 1 diabetes better.</p

TGF-β Signaling Promotes Tissue Formation during Cardiac Valve Regeneration in Adult Zebrafish

Cardiac valve disease can lead to severe cardiac dysfunction and is thus a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality. Its main treatment is valve replacement, which is currently greatly limited by the poor recellularization and tissue formation potential of the implanted valves. As we still lack suitable animal models to identify modulators of these processes, here we used adult zebrafish and found that, upon valve decellularization, they initiate a rapid regenerative program that leads to the formation of new functional valves. After injury, endothelial and kidney marrow-derived cells undergo cell cycle re-entry and differentiate into new extracellular matrix-secreting valve cells. The TGF-β signaling pathway promotes the regenerative process by enhancing progenitor cell proliferation as well as valve cell differentiation. These findings reveal a key role for TGF-β signaling in cardiac valve regeneration and establish the zebrafish as a model to identify and test factors promoting cardiac valve recellularization and growth